custom signs

Region 6 News Release: DOL-OSHA-11-75-DAL
Jan. 27, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Todd       Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710       972-850-4709
E-mail: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov       rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites Abilene, Texas,
manufacturing facility for multiple safety and health hazards

ABILENE, Texas – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued SPA Pipe and Supply LP in Abilene, doing business as Smith Pipe, 20 serious and two other-than-serious citations after an inspection at the company’s facility on Highway 277. The inspection, initiated Aug. 2, 2010, found that workers were being exposed to electrical deficiencies, possible leakage that could lead to a fire or explosion and other violations with the potential to cause injuries. Proposed penalties total $45,600.

“This company exposed its employees to preventable workplace hazards,” said Jack Rector, OSHA’s area director in El Paso, Texas. “Employers must provide a safe and healthful working environment for their employees.”

Serious citations allege failure to ensure compressed oxygen and acetylene gas cylinders were stored separately, ensure overhead cranes were periodically inspected, ensure exposed live electrical wires were de-energized, and train employees on hazard communication and permit-required confined space entry procedures. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The other-than-serious citations allege failure to ensure enough toilets were available for the number of employees working at the facility and to ensure that first aid kits were adequately stocked. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Smith Pipe, an oil tank manufacturing company that employs about 180 workers at its Abilene facility, has 15 business days from receipt of citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in El Paso or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

OSHA’s Lubbock District Office conducted the investigation. Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA’s El Paso Area Office at 915-534-6251 or the agency’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) to report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audiotape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Delmarva Power to Adjust Gas Delivery Rates in New Castle County
Residential Natural Gas Bills to Increase by 3.72 Percent, Effective Feb. 2

Wimington, DE, January 28, 2011 - Delmarva Power will implement its gas delivery rate increase request, effective Feb. 2, 2011. This adjustment is subject to potential refund with interest after the Delaware Public Service Commission concludes its review.  

The total bill impact of this rate increase on a residential natural gas heating customer with average usage during a winter month is about $6.30, from $169.28 to $175.58, or 3.72 percent. During non-heating months, the monthly increase would be about $2.09, from $37.49 to $39.58, for the typical residential customer. The impact on larger commercial and industrial customers will vary by usage.  

Delmarva Power filed for the gas delivery rate increase in July 2010. According to Delaware law, a utility is permitted to put the requested rate increase into effect seven months after its filing date. This rate increase is subject to refund to customers, with interest, if the Commission’s final approval of gas delivery rates is less than the rates implemented by Delmarva Power.  

The delivery rates, which represent about 35 percent of a customer’s bill, are separate from the supply rate, which makes up about 65 percent of the total bill. Delivery rates reflect the costs of providing the gas infrastructure (such as pipes, storage facilities, etc.), employees and services necessary to move gas through the local distribution system to customers. The company said the $10.1 million additional revenue request reflects rising cost of operations, maintenance and capital investment required to continue to provide its northern Delaware gas customers with safe and reliable service. Delmarva Power delivers natural gas to approximately 123,000 homes and businesses in New Castle County, Delaware.  

Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 500,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and Maryland and about 123,000 natural gas delivery customers in northern Delaware.

For More Information Contact
Bridget Shelton
Delmarva Power
302-283-5808 (office)
Bridget.shelton@pepcoholdings.com
—————————————-

See all news in General

Region 1 News Release: 11-115-BOS / BOS 2011-028
Jan. 28, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
E-mail: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Department of Labor’s OSHA cites The Acadia Hospital in
Bangor, Maine, for inadequate workplace violence safeguards

BANGOR, Maine – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited The Acadia Hospital in Bangor for failing to provide its employees with adequate safeguards against workplace violence. OSHA’s action follows an inspection begun in July 2010 in response to worker complaints.

OSHA’s inspection identified at least 115 instances between 2008 and 2010 in which employees of the psychiatric hospital and clinic were assaulted on the job by violent patients. As a result, OSHA has cited the hospital for an alleged serious violation of the agency’s general duty clause for failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious injury, along with six other-than-serious citations.

“The serious citation points to the clear and pressing need for the hospital to develop a comprehensive, continuous and effective program that will proactively evaluate, identify and prevent conditions that place workers in harm’s way,” said Marthe Kent, OSHA’s New England regional administrator.

OSHA’s serious citation includes several suggested means of abatement that the hospital can pursue to address the workplace violence issue. These include:

• Creating a stand-alone written violence prevention program for the entire hospital that includes a workplace violence hazard assessment and security analysis; development of workplace violence controls; a recordkeeping system designed to report any violent incidents; a statement that includes a zero tolerance policy for workplace violence and assigns oversight and prevention responsibilities; and an annual review and updating of the program.
• Developing workplace violence controls – including administrative and engineering – to prevent potential workplace incidents.
• Ensuring that all patients are screened for potential violence prior to hospital admittance.
• Conducting extensive training so that all affected employees are aware of the hospital’s workplace violence program and know how to access information about it.
• Using a system that flags a patient’s chart any time there is a history or act of violence and training staff to understand the system.
• Ensuring that adequate numbers of properly trained security personnel are available to render assistance in an instance of workplace violence.
• Limiting employees from working alone or in secluded places with patients and configuring the workplace to maximize an employee’s ability to escape in the event of violence.
• Developing and implementing specific actions for employees to take in the event of a workplace violence incident as well as specific procedures for reporting workplace violence incidents to both hospital management and law enforcement authorities.

“Workplace violence is a serious issue affecting many workers and employers across this nation, but it is one that can be addressed if employers take systematic, thorough and continual action,” said Kent.

The serious citation carries a proposed fine of $6,300. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.

The six other-than-serious citations, with a total of $5,400 in fines, are for inadequate or incomplete recording of workplace injuries or illnesses. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

The Acadia Hospital has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA’s Bangor District Office; telephone 207-941-8177.

OSHA’s “Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care & Social Service Workers” is available online at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3148/osha3148.html. Additional information on workplace violence is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/index.html.

To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Approach Resources Inc. Acquires 10,900 Net Acres in Wolffork Oil Shale Play
Increases Permian Basin Acreage Position to 109,000 Net Acres

Fort Worth, TX, January 28, 2011 - Approach Resources Inc. (NASDAQ: AREX) announced that it has acquired additional acreage in Crockett County, Texas, in the Permian Basin, that further expands the Company’s exploration interests targeting the Wolffork oil shale play. In the transaction, Approach acquired leasehold interests covering 10,900 contiguous, net acres from private parties. The new acreage, or Pangea West, is approximately nine miles west of the Company’s existing acreage in northeast Crockett County. The Company’s total acreage position in the Permian Basin now covers approximately 151,000 gross (109,000 net) acres.  

Management Comment  

J. Ross Craft, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Acquiring additional acreage in the Permian Basin enhances our leverage to the multi-zone potential of the Wolffork oil shale play and adds to our portfolio of opportunities. Based on our preliminary geological evaluation of the new acreage, we believe the new acreage will be an extension of the Wolffork oil shale play in Project Pangea, and may also be prospective for the shallower San Andres and deeper Canyon Sands, Strawn and Ellenburger formations. We plan to begin to delineate the Wolffork trend across the new acreage during the second half of 2011.”  

Approach Resources Inc. is an independent oil and gas company with core operations, production and reserves located in the Permian Basin in West Texas. The Company targets multiple oil and liquids-rich formations in the Permian Basin, where the Company operates approximately 109,000 net acres. At June 30, 2010, the Company’s estimated proved reserves were 46.4 million barrels of oil equivalent, 50% oil and NGLs and 50% natural gas. For more information about the Company, please visit www.approachresources.com. Please note that the Company routinely posts important information about the Company under the Investor Relations section of its website.  

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include the prospectivity of the acquired acreage and future drilling plans. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Further information on such assumptions, risks and uncertainties is available in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings. The Company’s SEC filings are available on its website at www.approachresources.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

For More Information Contact
Megan P. Hays
Manager, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Approach Resources Inc.
817-989-9000
—————————————-

See all news in General

Jan. 26, 2011
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA renews strategic partnership with power transmission and
distribution trade associations to reduce worker injuries, deaths

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today renewed a strategic partnership with the Electrical Transmission and Distribution Construction Contractors, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and other trade associations to reduce injuries, illnesses and deaths among electrical transmission and distribution industry workers, among other goals.

Other organizations joining OSHA in this strategic partnership are Asplundh Tree Expert Co., Edison Electric Institute, Henkels & McCoy Inc., MDU Construction Services Group Inc., MYR Group Inc., National Electrical Contractors Association, Pike Electric Inc., and Quanta Services, Inc.

Partnership goals also include establishing the causes of injuries, illnesses and deaths in this industry and recommending best practices to reduce these incidents; ensuring that industry workers are trained in using recommended best practices; and establishing a strategy to evaluate and ensure that the goals of the partnership are met.

“I am pleased to see the members of this OSHA Strategic Partnership back at the table today to sign a new agreement. This tells that the previous years of the partnership have been successful for everyone concerned and that you find value in working with OSHA and with each other,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “The families of workers in this industry are counting on us to work together so that every worker returns home, safe and healthy, at the end of every single workday.”

The partnership achieved several goals since it was last renewed in 2008. These include reducing the number of fatal accidents from six in 2008 to two in 2009, and reducing the Days Away From Work, Restricted Work Activity, or Job Transfer Rate from 4.04 in 2008 to 2.95 in 2009. Additionally, nearly 4,400 apprentices, journeymen, foremen and general foremen completed the OSHA 10-Hour Outreach Training Program for the electrical transmission and distribution industry.

OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Most strategic partnerships seek to have a broad impact by building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and workers. These partnerships are voluntary relationships among OSHA, employers, worker representatives and others, including trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities and other government agencies.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.